These days, it is normal for authors to go to writing workshops – or teach them. So why does the idea they produce derivative writers persist?What makes a writer? How do you become one? When I was younger, even asking those questions seemed to disqualify me: a writer isn’t something one becomes, I thought, a writer just is. Despite writing, rewriting and reading all through my 20s, I was no closer to completing, let alone publishing, a novel. I realised I would need help if I was going to succeed, and I applied to several creative writing MAs.This was, depending on who you ask, either a decision that condemned my writing to being forever derivative and tired, or, an important step on the path towards the publication of my first book. The debate about the value of a degree in creative writing has been done, one might think, to death – good writing depends on an innate facility that cannot be taught, versus good writing depends on devoted time, support, and elements of craft that can be studied – yet it continues to rage. This week, a much-lauded debut novel was criticised in a review by an author for its “MA creative writing-speak” and “oh so tediously writing workshop description”. For some, “writing workshop” is shorthand for bad. But why?'One must have in mind between 68 and 73% of the ending' before starting a story, my teacher once advised Related: Buy a cat, stay up late, don't drink: top 10 writers’ tips on writing Continue reading... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'
[ The Guardian | 2018-04-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
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After a two-decade hiatus, the author of the bestselling 'Silver Palate Good Times Cookbook' is back with 'New England Open-House Cookbook,' out from Workman in June. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-05-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Shindig!’s Jon Mills and Andy Morten on the perils of striking a magazine publishing deal without the proper paperworkJust before Easter, Jon Mills and Andy Morten signed off the 47th issue of Shindig!, the music magazine the two of them have been producing for around 20 years. Although... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-05-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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We caught up with the whimsical illustrator about productivity, creativity, and why her spirit animal is a "tiny, delusional bird."You've probably seen illustrator Maira Kalman's whimsical, wryly funny work, whether you know it or not. Her supersaturated gouache paintings have graced countless... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2015-04-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The latest issue of the UK literary journal Litro Magazine, released at the London Book Fair, highlights the diversity and character of new Mexican writing. The post Litro Magazine Presents Diversity of New Mexican Writing appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-04-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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We all know how certain books, read at key moments in our lives, remain memorable and influential for years afterward. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Although AWP 2015 focused on literature written for and by adults, children's authors held their own at the conference and presented their ideas about how to best publish for Middle Grade and YA readers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The author of Alternadad and Downward-Facing Death shares how his habits help him work at a healthy clip.Neal Pollack is the author of nine books, a three-time Jeopardy champion, a musician, and a yoga instructor. His newest novel Repeat is "a romantic comedy with some time travel in it," as he... Continue reading at Fast Company
[ Fast Company | 2015-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Tips from the bestselling author of "The Dive From Clausen's Pier" and the new novel "The Children's Crusade." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-04-10 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Craig Davidson, writing under the pseudonym Nick Cutter, has been named the winner of the inaugural James Herbert Award for Horror Writing for his book The Troop (Headline). The award was set up in honour of the late horror writer James Herbert, and aims to discover and publicise a new... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-04-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The cherished French children’s book author and editor of hundreds of books Grégoire Solotareff offers his tips for creating books fore very young readers. The post Keys to Writing Books for Very Young Readers appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives
[ Publishing Perspectives | 2015-03-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Books about the natural world are now huge sellers, tapping into a new appreciation for the countryside and scepticism about material wealthBondage is so last year. Publishers who spent much of the past year in search of the next Fifty Shades of Grey are now seeking to exploit another literary... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-03-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Canongate will publish three books by the late American author Charles Bukowski, based on his letters. Publishing director Francis Bickmore signed the books in a deal with Catherine Barbosa-Ross at HarperCollins US. On Writing is a collection based on previously unpublished letters, and will... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-21 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The bestselling young adult author wrote her first published novel on a BlackBerry while commuting. Now she has a fan base ardent enough to complain about the way she ended one bookLauren Oliver, a bestselling young adult writer whose latest book, Vanishing Girls, was published in the US last... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-03-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Matt Sumell, author of the exceptional "Making Nice," on writing as an "emotionally expensive" undertaking. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Finding inspiration in Mad Libs is one of many ways to climb out of a prayer rut. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly
[ Publishers Weekly | 2015-03-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Creative Scotland is providing £100,000 funding to support 10 full-time, year-long traineeships across the creative industries. The programme aims to support the employment prospects for people aged 20-30 who are interested in developing a career in the arts and culture industries. It will... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-03-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Newsflash! Divergent fans, sit down, take a deep breath and get ready to read Veronica Roth’s new duologyAttention all you Divergent fans! Put down your books, pick up your calendars and rejoice at some really exciting news.It has been announced that Veronica Roth, author of the bestselling... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-03-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Author of Fever Pitch is adapting a book of the same name based on the memoirs of Nina Stibble, a nanny who worked for some of London’s leading literary lightsThe author of Fever Pitch, Nick Hornby, is penning his first TV drama, based on the memoirs of a nanny who worked for some of the leading... Continue reading at The Guardian
[ The Guardian | 2015-02-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Yellow Kite is to publish The 22-Day Revolution, a book about the benefits of a plant-based diet, with a foreword written by Beyoncé. Founded on the principle that it takes 21 days to make or break a habit, The 22-Day Revolution by exercise physiologist and nutrition expert Marco Borges is a... Continue reading at The Bookseller
[ The Bookseller | 2015-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Jon Krakauer's upcoming book 'Missoula' will center on stories he was told by those who said they experienced sexual assault at the University of Montana. Krakauer is also the author of 'Into Thin Air.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor
[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2015-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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